Q&A 0939 – The Alchemist
Written on February 28, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
What do you think about the book The Alchemist? Paulo Coelho’s 1988 work (English version 1993) was well written and certainly an interesting read. It moves quickly, and its North… Read More
Tattoos and Piercings
Written on February 27, 2010 at 5:02 pm, by Douglas Jacoby
Here are a podcast and notes on Tattoos & Piercings (37 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you can… Read More
Q&A 0938 – The death penalty
Written on February 26, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
What do the scriptures say about the death penalty? In California, a major gang member was in jail for 25 years and sentenced to death. Some people were in an… Read More
Q&A 0937 – The Spirit and Isaiah 61
Written on February 24, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
Isaiah 61:1 tells of the binding up of the brokenhearted and freedom for the captives. "The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me." Who is me? I always thought… Read More
Q&A 0936 – Proverbs 31:6-7 — Strong drink
Written on February 22, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
I’m having a hard time trying to understand how this is Godly. I know we do not live in the Old Testament days, so I can sort of see how… Read More
Q&A 0935 – How to stay saved
Written on February 20, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
From my understanding of the Scriptures, in order for someone to be saved, one must believe, repent and be baptized. Then the blood of Jesus forgives one’s sins and one… Read More
Q&A 0934 – Imputed guilt and inherited guilt
Written on February 18, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
I was talking with a friend about original sin again and he said that he believed that we have "imputed" guilt, not "inherited guilt." What in the world is the… Read More
Q&A 0933 – Clergy and laity
Written on February 16, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
Could you please define/explain what things… actions… thoughts… mindsets, etc… you’re thinking of when you refer to "clergy/laity"? — Joel Suggs (Cincinnati) I refer to clergy as professional church workers,… Read More
Q&A 0932 – John 1:1-5 — a mystical interpretation?
Written on February 14, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
I was reading a devotional on a weblog, and it quoted John 1:1-5: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. Read More
Q&A 0931 – Seeking first the Kingdom
Written on February 12, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
I have heard that "seeking first the kingdom" means putting my church first and foremost in my life. Is this a right interpretation? — V.J. In the Sermon on the… Read More
Avatar: My response to the film
Written on February 11, 2010 at 1:20 pm, by Douglas Jacoby
Here are a podcast and notes on Avatar (12 minutes). To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you can… Read More
Q&A 0930 – Hebrews 13:7 and 13:17 — which leaders?
Written on February 10, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
Which leaders exactly are being referred to in Hebrews 13:7 and 17? I am unclear. Most scholars agree that the leaders, the outcome of whose way of life we are… Read More
Q&A 0929 – John’s Baptism and the Spirit
Written on February 8, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
You wrote that those who received John’s baptism probably didn’t get baptized again. So how then did they get the indwelling or seal of the Holy Spirit? Did John’s baptism… Read More
Q&A 0928 – Yoga
Written on February 6, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
Am I misleading people by practicing and teaching yoga? I run a wellness studio, and yoga is a practice I teach for physical fitness. I teach students how to calm… Read More
Q&A 0927 – The nature of religious experience
Written on February 4, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
Aren’t all the mystical experiences of spiritual persons essentially the same, regardless of the culture or religious context in which they occur? It is fashionable to posit a mystical connection… Read More
Earthquake, Storm, Fire, Flood: Responding to Natural Disaster
Written on February 3, 2010 at 8:55 pm, by Douglas Jacoby
To hear the podcast (30 minutes), click on the play button below: To download the podcast, right click on “download” and select “save link as” or “save target as” and you… Read More
Q&A 0926 – Ananias
Written on February 2, 2010 at 12:00 am, by admin
In reference to the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, I’ve always believed from the Scriptures that the only people who had these gifts were the apostles and whoever the… Read More